University of Arkansas Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Arkansas aid & Grants
Last Updated on May 21, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~79%
- Middle 50% ACT: 23.8
- Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1210
- Average GPA: 3.82
- Below the typical ranges: Admission is still likely, but merit money becomes less predictable. Focus on getting test scores up if possible and target schools with stronger automatic charts as backups.
- In the typical ranges: This is the sweet spot. You’re competitive for both admission and automatic merit. Apply by the priority deadline and make sure test scores are submitted to maximize eligibility.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in range for top automatic tiers and should absolutely pursue Honors College and competitive fellowships—this is where full tuition (or more) becomes realistic.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Arkansas at a Glance
- Test-optional for admission ≠ test-optional for scholarships. You need scores submitted to qualify for most merit awards.
- NRTA is the real game-changer—but not automatic for everyone. Families often assume they’ll get it without checking eligibility rules (state/county matters).
- Full-tuition outcomes usually require stacking. Automatic merit alone won’t get you there—you need Honors or competitive fellowships layered on top.
- Priority deadline matters more than people realize. Miss Nov 15, and your chances at top awards drop significantly.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Arkansas is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 23.8; SAT: 1030-1210.
Average net price? About $16,208/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
University scholarship page: https://scholarships.uark.edu/
Fulbright College Sturgis Fellowships: https://fulbright.uark.edu/sturgis-fellowships/
Honors College Endowed Fellowships: https://honors.uark.edu/find-funding/endowed-fellowships.php
Department/AcademicWorks: https://uark.academicworks.com/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Arkansas 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $10,496 | $31,550 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $14,968 | $14,968 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $25,464 | $46,518 |
Average Federal Net Price: $16,208 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
- Academic Common Market (ACM): Qualifying majors allow residents of participating SREB states to pay in-state rates.
- Texarkana & Bowie County Reciprocity: Residents of Texarkana, TX, and Bowie County, TX, qualify for in-state classification.
- New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award (NRTA): Reduces non-resident tuition by 70–90% for qualifying students.
- Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship: Granted automatically when a student earns $4,000+ in UA scholarships per semester.
- Alumni Legacy & Military Waivers: Discounts for alumni children, veterans, and dependents of active-duty military.
Example: In-state students pay about $25K before aid; non-residents pay about $46K, a $21K difference that scholarships or NRTA can often offset.
👉 Arkansas State Grants & Scholarships
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at the University of Arkansas
Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher?
Like most public universities, Arkansas charges higher tuition to non-residents because in-state students’ families support the university through state taxes. However, out-of-state students can offset this difference through programs like the Academic Common Market, the Non-Resident Tuition Award (NRTA), or automatic merit scholarships.
What’s the difference between billed and total costs?
Billed costs include tuition, fees, housing, and meals paid directly to the university. The total cost of attendance adds indirect expenses—books, travel, and personal costs—which typically add about $7,000 per year.
Can out-of-state students really get near in-state rates?
Yes. Many non-resident students qualify for the NRTA or Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, which reduce the out-of-state portion by 70–90%. Bordering counties like Texarkana and Bowie County also get full in-state status automatically.
How accurate is the $16,500 average net price?
It’s a verified federal average. Students with strong academics or financial need often pay far less, while out-of-state students without aid may pay more unless they qualify for NRTA or merit awards.
Do Arkansas state scholarships stack with university awards?
Yes. Programs like the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and state grants can be combined with UA merit scholarships, helping reduce out-of-pocket costs for residents.
Does UA participate in WUE or other national tuition exchanges?
No. The University of Arkansas does not participate in WUE, but it does participate in the Academic Common Market for specific majors approved by SREB member states.
https://finaid.uark.edu/cost-of-attendance.php
https://scholarships.uark.edu
https://nrta.uark.edu
Automatic Scholarships — University of Arkansas
GPA and test score thresholds are based on recent award data. The University of Arkansas awards each student the single highest-value automatic scholarship they qualify for—these awards do not stack. Criteria and funding may vary annually.
Automatic Merit — FAQs (University of Arkansas)
What’s the scholarship deadline?
The priority deadline for automatic merit consideration is November 15. Submitting a complete application and test scores by this date ensures full eligibility.
Does Arkansas superscore ACT or SAT?
No. The University of Arkansas uses the best single test date for automatic scholarship consideration.
Can students qualify test-optional?
Yes, some awards (like Advance Arkansas or Razorback Bridge) consider GPA and service/financial need instead of test scores.
Are these scholarships renewable?
Yes, most automatic merit awards renew up to four years if the student maintains GPA and completes the required credit hours each year.
Can these stack with other aid?
No. Students receive the single highest-value automatic scholarship they qualify for, but these may combine with state or federal aid up to the cost of attendance.
When are awards announced?
Automatic scholarships are typically awarded soon after admission and updated as final test scores or transcripts arrive.
https://scholarships.uark.edu/
https://collegereadyparent.org/university-of-arkansas/
https://catalog.uark.edu/undergraduatecatalog/financialaidandscholarships/scholarshipsfornewstudents/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
These scholarships require a separate application, essays, or nomination through the Arkansas Scholarship Application Management (ASAM) / Academic Scholarship Office portal. They are not automatic and are limited in number.
Disclaimer: Award amounts, eligibility thresholds, and selection volumes may change annually depending on funding and applicant pools. Some competitive awards may replace or reduce other aid rather than stack — always confirm details with UA’s (UArk’s) Office of Academic Scholarships.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Is November 15 a hard deadline for these competitive awards?
It’s the **priority deadline** for most scholarships. Students applying by Nov 15 have the strongest consideration. However, the **final deadline** for scholarship/fellowship consideration is **February 1**.
How many merit or academic scholarships does UArk award each year?
The Honors College notes that UArk offers approximately **1,000 merit-based scholarships** annually.
How are applicants chosen for competitive awards?
Selection is holistic. Factors include GPA, test scores, leadership, service, essays, and other extracurriculars. Some awards also consider Arkansas residency or state criteria.
Do competitive scholarships stack with automatic merit aid?
Sometimes. Some competitive awards may replace existing merit awards; others might stack — but stacking depends on policy and donor conditions. Always verify with the Academic Scholarship Office.
Does UArk offer a National Merit package?
Yes. UArk offers a **Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship** for National Merit Finalists, which is awarded on top of a New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award (if applicable).
https://scholarships.uark.edu/
https://catalog.uark.edu/undergraduatecatalog/financialaidandscholarships/scholarshipsfornewstudents/
Honors College at the University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas Honors College provides smaller discussion-based classes, priority registration, undergraduate research funding, and faculty mentorship. For motivated students, it serves as a gateway to national fellowships and professional success.
Admissions: The Honors College requires a separate application that includes essays, transcripts, and test scores (superscored ACT/SAT accepted). Admission is not automatic — even top students must apply for consideration.
- Typical Admit: ACT 30+, GPA 3.8+, and strong writing portfolio
- Deadline: November 15 for top fellowships; February 1 for general Honors admission
- Automatic Invites? No. Every student must submit the Honors application.
Major Honors Fellowships
Note: These fellowships are extremely competitive, with only a limited number awarded each year. Eligibility cutoffs are approximate; final decisions depend on essays, interviews, and available funding.
Honors College — FAQs (University of Arkansas)
Is Honors admission automatic?
No. All students must complete the separate Honors College application, including essays and official test scores. Invitations are not automatic, even for top academic profiles.
What’s the difference between Honors admission and a Fellowship?
All Fellows are Honors students, but not all Honors students are Fellows. Fellowships include large scholarships and research funding, while Honors admission grants access to small classes and mentoring.
Do you need test scores?
While test-optional applicants may apply, the most competitive Honors and Fellowship candidates generally submit high ACT/SAT scores for scholarship consideration.
Can you join Honors later?
Yes. Current University of Arkansas students can apply for departmental or college-level Honors after completing their first semester with a strong GPA.
Are Honors classes harder?
They emphasize depth and discussion over extra workload. Courses are taught by top faculty and designed to challenge students through writing and research.
https://honors.uark.edu/apply.php
https://honors.uark.edu/find-funding/
https://fulbright.uark.edu/sturgis-fellowships/
https://news.uark.edu/articles/78679/u-of-a-honors-college-selects-2025-fellows-class
https://honors.uark.edu/find-funding/endowed-fellowships.php
https://coehphonors.uark.edu/current-students/events.php
🌟 What the University of Arkansas Is Known For
As the flagship research university of Arkansas, UA doesn’t just teach—it discovers, innovates, and leads. With its R1 (very high research activity) status, today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators. Here’s what that looks like in some of the standout programs most likely to impress your student or your resume.
The **Supply Chain Management** undergraduate program in the Sam M. Walton College of Business is **ranked No. 1 in North America** by Gartner—three years running. If logistics, operations, or business strategy is your game, this is one of the best places in the world to play it.
- R1 Research Classification – UA is designated as a “Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity” (R1), placing it in the top tier of U.S. research institutions.
- Business Programs – The Walton College is ranked #9 (undergraduate) and #11 (graduate) nationally by U.S. News; its Information Systems department is top-5 globally in research output.
- Engineering Online Master’s – UA’s online master’s engineering programs are ranked #31 nationally, with subrank #20 for veterans.
- Engineering (On-Campus) – UA’s on-campus engineering programs are ranked #1 in the state, with national rankings around #149 among doctoral engineering schools.
- Law School – Consistently ranked among the top public law schools, historically around #43 among publics.
- Graduate Business (MBA) – Full-time MBA is ranked #25 for public universities; part-time MBA is in the top 30 nationally.
- Undergraduate Academics – UA’s undergraduate programs in business, economics, computer science, engineering, nursing, and psychology are all recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News.{index=8}
- Poultry Science – Dale Bumpers College – One of the top three programs nationally in poultry science.